Cyprus and Northern Cyprus - photo gallery and tourist attractions [trip report]
Apr 3, 2016, 3:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Florence - Italy
Posts: 102
Cyprus and Northern Cyprus - photo gallery and tourist attractions [trip report]
I want to share with the community some tourist information and experience of my 2 trips in Cyprus ( Republic of Cyprus ) and Northern Cyprus ( Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ) where I have visited Nicosia - Paphos - Larnaca - Limassol
To see my photo gallery click on the link below
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcod...7630585160352/
Below a list of tourist attractions of my itinerary that may be useful to plan better a trip
> Nicosia Greek and Turkish is a very special city full of interesting tourist attractions . It is located inland of the island and it is divided into 2 parts ( part Greek and part Turkish ) . The main tourist attractions are : the beautiful Selimiye Mosque , the spectacular Caravanserai Buyuk Han , the 2 Houses Museum Dervish Pasha Mansion , the St. John's Cathedral ( Agios Ioannis ) , the Archbishop's Palace , the old market of Bandabuliya , the traditional neighborhood of Laiki Geitonia full of typical restaurants and nice pub where to enjoy the magical atmosphere of the city . Other secondary tourist attractions are : Palace Ledra Street Irene (Peace) Hall , Ledra Street is one of the access routes between the part Greek and part Turkish , Kyrenia Gate is a gate in the city walls , the Church Agios Savvas , Hammam and the Mosques : Arablar - Bayraktar - Omeriye - Sarayonu - Arabahmet . The most interesting Museums are Byzantine Museum and the Cyprus Museum . Nicosia is the most interesting city I have visited in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus for its history and the current situation : Nicosia is the last divided city in Europe for the consequences of a war
> Limassol is a very large city on the South coast , developed mainly horizontally to the sea . The small and interesting historical center is full of tourist attractions and restaurants / nice pub where to enjoy this picturesque area of the city . The main tourist attractions are : the Museum of Medieval Castle , the Cathedral of Agia Napa , the modern Church of St. Nicholas completely painted inside , it is probably more beautiful inside than the Cathedral , the Great Mosque , the lovely little Church of St. Anthony , the Mosque of Koprulu finally the long promenade along about 15 km . Limassol Marina is a nice neighborhood newly built with exclusive luxury restaurants and other cheapest fast food / pub ; very beautiful new buildings constructed in this area that is developed around the marina where luxury is at home . Other secondary tourist attractions are : the City Hall , the Municipal Art Gallery , the Municipal Gardens , the Catholic Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria and the Cathedral of St. Mary Virgin Pantanassa . The sea and the beaches in front of city is not particularly beautiful . The most interesting Museums are the Archaeological Museum and the Civic Museum of Folk Art . Around Limassol there are archaeological sites of great importance as the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates , Kourion , Amathus . Always in the neighborhood there are the Castle of Kolossi and the Monastery of George Alamanov . The nightlife is very lively !
> Paphos is a big city at South West of the island . It offers much at different types of travelers : history and archeology , nature , nice beachs and relax with an interesting nightlife ; hotels / restaurants / pub that depending on the choice can be very cheap or luxury and exclusive . The main tourist attractions are : the wonderful Archaeological Park of Nea Kato Paphos with beautiful mosaics , the Amphitheatre , the ruins of Saranta Kolones , the Catacombs of Agia Salomoni , the Tomb of the Kings ; The Harbour Castle and the Byzantine Museum . For beaches I recommend Coral Bay . Nearby to visit : the settlement of Maa-Paleokastro , the Rock of Aphrodite or Petra Tou Romiou
> Larnaca is the least interesting of the four cities but it is anyway charming . It is located on the coast in the Southern part of the island . Gorgeous the Church of St. Lazarus ( Ayios Lazarus ) and the lovely colonnade in same square . The main tourist attractions are : the Great Mosque Buyuk or Djami Kebir , the Church Panagia Faneromeni , the Church Holy Mary of Grace . Other secondary tourist attractions are : the Medieval Castle , the Municipal Art Gallery , Larnaca Marina , la Moschea Tuzla , the Mosque of Zuhuri . The sea and the beaches in front of city is not particularly beautiful . The most interesting Museum is the Archaeological Museum Pierides . Nearby to visit the beautiful Aqueduct Bekir Pasha or Kamares , the Archaeological Site Kition , the Salt Lake of Oroklini , the Mosque of Umm Haram or Hala Sultan Tekke . The lively waterfront area is the liveliest for the presence of many traditional restaurants , modern hotels , many Pub
In total I have been in these four cities only 6 full days but they were not sufficient to visit the surroundings of the towns where there are many interesting sites ; for the short time available I was not able to visit all I wanted also in the cities because I move with public transport and sometimes I found closed what I wanted to visit ... if you want to visit the archaeological sites or other tourist attractions outside the cities and you do not have car I recommend 2 or 3 days for each city to enjoy it with tranquility !
To see my photo gallery click on the link below
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcod...7630585160352/
Below a list of tourist attractions of my itinerary that may be useful to plan better a trip
> Nicosia Greek and Turkish is a very special city full of interesting tourist attractions . It is located inland of the island and it is divided into 2 parts ( part Greek and part Turkish ) . The main tourist attractions are : the beautiful Selimiye Mosque , the spectacular Caravanserai Buyuk Han , the 2 Houses Museum Dervish Pasha Mansion , the St. John's Cathedral ( Agios Ioannis ) , the Archbishop's Palace , the old market of Bandabuliya , the traditional neighborhood of Laiki Geitonia full of typical restaurants and nice pub where to enjoy the magical atmosphere of the city . Other secondary tourist attractions are : Palace Ledra Street Irene (Peace) Hall , Ledra Street is one of the access routes between the part Greek and part Turkish , Kyrenia Gate is a gate in the city walls , the Church Agios Savvas , Hammam and the Mosques : Arablar - Bayraktar - Omeriye - Sarayonu - Arabahmet . The most interesting Museums are Byzantine Museum and the Cyprus Museum . Nicosia is the most interesting city I have visited in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus for its history and the current situation : Nicosia is the last divided city in Europe for the consequences of a war
> Limassol is a very large city on the South coast , developed mainly horizontally to the sea . The small and interesting historical center is full of tourist attractions and restaurants / nice pub where to enjoy this picturesque area of the city . The main tourist attractions are : the Museum of Medieval Castle , the Cathedral of Agia Napa , the modern Church of St. Nicholas completely painted inside , it is probably more beautiful inside than the Cathedral , the Great Mosque , the lovely little Church of St. Anthony , the Mosque of Koprulu finally the long promenade along about 15 km . Limassol Marina is a nice neighborhood newly built with exclusive luxury restaurants and other cheapest fast food / pub ; very beautiful new buildings constructed in this area that is developed around the marina where luxury is at home . Other secondary tourist attractions are : the City Hall , the Municipal Art Gallery , the Municipal Gardens , the Catholic Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria and the Cathedral of St. Mary Virgin Pantanassa . The sea and the beaches in front of city is not particularly beautiful . The most interesting Museums are the Archaeological Museum and the Civic Museum of Folk Art . Around Limassol there are archaeological sites of great importance as the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates , Kourion , Amathus . Always in the neighborhood there are the Castle of Kolossi and the Monastery of George Alamanov . The nightlife is very lively !
> Paphos is a big city at South West of the island . It offers much at different types of travelers : history and archeology , nature , nice beachs and relax with an interesting nightlife ; hotels / restaurants / pub that depending on the choice can be very cheap or luxury and exclusive . The main tourist attractions are : the wonderful Archaeological Park of Nea Kato Paphos with beautiful mosaics , the Amphitheatre , the ruins of Saranta Kolones , the Catacombs of Agia Salomoni , the Tomb of the Kings ; The Harbour Castle and the Byzantine Museum . For beaches I recommend Coral Bay . Nearby to visit : the settlement of Maa-Paleokastro , the Rock of Aphrodite or Petra Tou Romiou
> Larnaca is the least interesting of the four cities but it is anyway charming . It is located on the coast in the Southern part of the island . Gorgeous the Church of St. Lazarus ( Ayios Lazarus ) and the lovely colonnade in same square . The main tourist attractions are : the Great Mosque Buyuk or Djami Kebir , the Church Panagia Faneromeni , the Church Holy Mary of Grace . Other secondary tourist attractions are : the Medieval Castle , the Municipal Art Gallery , Larnaca Marina , la Moschea Tuzla , the Mosque of Zuhuri . The sea and the beaches in front of city is not particularly beautiful . The most interesting Museum is the Archaeological Museum Pierides . Nearby to visit the beautiful Aqueduct Bekir Pasha or Kamares , the Archaeological Site Kition , the Salt Lake of Oroklini , the Mosque of Umm Haram or Hala Sultan Tekke . The lively waterfront area is the liveliest for the presence of many traditional restaurants , modern hotels , many Pub
In total I have been in these four cities only 6 full days but they were not sufficient to visit the surroundings of the towns where there are many interesting sites ; for the short time available I was not able to visit all I wanted also in the cities because I move with public transport and sometimes I found closed what I wanted to visit ... if you want to visit the archaeological sites or other tourist attractions outside the cities and you do not have car I recommend 2 or 3 days for each city to enjoy it with tranquility !
Apr 8, 2016, 3:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Happily living in Frenaros Cyprus having escaped the near-death experience called Sofia Bulgaria
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I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the island that is now my home. Your photos are fabulous. You covered a lot of ground in a short time. May I ask where you took the photo of what looks like 2 figures carved in stone (on the first page of your album)?
Too bad you didn't have time to see some of the villages in the Troodos Mountains - they are very picturesque. And of course, the Kykkos Monastery is not to be missed.
Too bad you didn't have time to see some of the villages in the Troodos Mountains - they are very picturesque. And of course, the Kykkos Monastery is not to be missed.
Apr 14, 2016, 1:00 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Florence - Italy
Posts: 102
Sorry if I answered late
( for bebert )
Thank you very much ! I'm not a photographer I'm just a traveler who likes to discover the World and take pictures, now i have a nikon d7100 18-140 VR, before canon eos 600d EF-S 18-135, before canon eos 350d with 18 135.
( for STBCypriot )
Thank you very much ! The photo of 2 figures carved in stone is taken in Limassol outside the Museum of Medieval Castle. I hope to return soon to visit this fascinating Country and Thanks for your suggestions !
( for bebert )
Thank you very much ! I'm not a photographer I'm just a traveler who likes to discover the World and take pictures, now i have a nikon d7100 18-140 VR, before canon eos 600d EF-S 18-135, before canon eos 350d with 18 135.
( for STBCypriot )
Thank you very much ! The photo of 2 figures carved in stone is taken in Limassol outside the Museum of Medieval Castle. I hope to return soon to visit this fascinating Country and Thanks for your suggestions !
May 17, 2016, 1:47 pm
#5
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Thanks for this. Paying a very short visit in August, just one night in Larnaca...arrive midday and leave next evening. Can either of you (toscanafoto or STBCypriot) recommend a hotel in the city? There are dozens of small ones but hard to know which is best even with the reviews. Want something walkable to the church and castle/fort and restaurants...and an inexpensive cab ride from/to the airport. Suppose air conditioning would be useful in the height of summer. Or would Nicosia be a better place to stay and sight-see in? Thanks.
May 17, 2016, 10:59 pm
#6
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If you time to basically see one-thing on Cyprus, I'd recommend crossing the border at Nicosia, and taking a dolmus or taxi to the ancient Venetian harbor and castle of Kyrenia (Girne on the Turkish side).
May 20, 2016, 5:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Thanks for this. Paying a very short visit in August, just one night in Larnaca...arrive midday and leave next evening. Can either of you (toscanafoto or STBCypriot) recommend a hotel in the city? There are dozens of small ones but hard to know which is best even with the reviews. Want something walkable to the church and castle/fort and restaurants...and an inexpensive cab ride from/to the airport. Suppose air conditioning would be useful in the height of summer. Or would Nicosia be a better place to stay and sight-see in? Thanks.
August in Cyprus is HOT! And you definitely want AC. Nicosia will be hotter than Larnaca. I think for your short stay Larnaca would be best and you can go for a swim in the sea, which you cannot do in Nicosia. I can recommend the Flamingo Beach Hotel, the Sun Hall Hotel, and Les Palmiers Hotel in Larnaca, all on the Finikoudes. Better book ASAP as August is high season. All of these are within walking distance of the fort, tons of restaurants, shopping, the old part of Larnaca, and St Lazarus church. There is also the Pierides Museum. Not sure how much a taxi is from the airport, but I cannot imagine it to be more than 20 euros.
While Kyrenia is lovely, I think it would be too much trouble for your short visit. It's a good 2 hour drive from Larnaca (longer if you are taking a bus). It is possible, based on the time you arrive and depart, to see the Fort and St. Lazarus Church in Larnaca in the afternoon on the day you arrive, then enjoy a stroll in the old part of the city in the evening and then take a bus tour to Famagusta the next day (about a 1 hr drive from Larnaca) - there you can see the Venetian walls, a lot of old churches, and experience the Turkish part of Cyprus. Just remember that it will be HOT and you will want to seek shade as much as possible wherever you go.